Jusuf Nurkic – Portland Trail Blazers

After not trading Jusuf Nurkic in the final year of his contract prior to the NBA trade deadline, the Portland Trail Blazers now face a big decision with their 27-year-old big man. 

Now in his 8th NBA season, Nurkic has played well for Portland this season, averaging 14.7 points and 11.1 rebounds, while shooting 53% from the floor. Moving on from Jusuf Nurkic could be tough for the Blazers to do though in the offseason, especially since they have virtually no depth behind him in their frontcourt. 

According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, Nurkic is extension-eligible right now, but the best deal Portland can give him is a four-year, $64.5 million deal with an average annual value of about $16 million. 

This would be more money than Jusuf Nurkic has made in the past, but the veteran big man has not been open to signing said extension yet. 

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Currently ranking third in the league in total rebounds this season and tied for 8th in rebounds per game with MVP frontrunner Joel Embiid, Jusuf Nurkic has proven his worth in this league. Nurkic currently ranks tied for 7th in the league in double-doubles on the season and has been the epitome of consistency at the center position for years in Portland. 

Hitting the free agent market seems like the direction Jusuf Nurkic is leaning towards, but after all the moves the Portland Trail Blazers made at the deadline, they could very well look to lock-up their center right now.